SRRT (Social Responsibilities Round Table)

As it appears that many are unaware, those of us struggling to stay alive in public libraries in Red states have been increasingly disengaged from the ALA.  Many, many public libraries and state libraries have been barred from organizational ALA membership.  Being from one of these public libraries, I pay for my own access and must engage on my own time, not on work time.  Small town librarians are rarely able to attend conferences due to the burden of costs incurred on the individual without institutional funding help.

It is not logical with today's technology that all virtual meetings are not being recorded.  For many reasons but specifically for those who are unable to join in live during work hours, I would request audio recordings of all meetings.  

I am very grateful to April for providing notes and answering questions!  That said, notes are absolutely not a replacement for hearing the voices, hearing the tone and hearing the details.

Respectfully

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Deborah Corbin
Branch Assistant
York County Library
She/Her/Hers
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Original Message:
Sent: 7/10/2025 11:04:00 AM
From: Rory Litwin
Subject: RE: Recordings of virtual events

I agree. I'd really like for SRRT virtual meetings to be recorded and made available.

Rory

Original Message:
Sent: 7/10/2025 11:17:00 AM
From: April Sheppard
Subject: RE: Recordings of virtual events

Just providing background information:

When SRRT Action Council first began having virtual meetings, they were recorded. Unfortunately, we discovered that people were limiting their participation in the recorded meetings for various reasons, including fear of retribution from employers. There were requests to stop recording meetings so people could speak freely, particularly on some of the more controversial topics that SRRT often covers. 

April

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April Sheppard
banhatenotbooks@gmail.com

Please know that I honor and respect boundaries around personal time, well-being, caretaking, and time off. My work hours may be different than yours. Should you receive emails from me during a time that you're engaging in any of the above, please protect your time and wait to respond until you're working.

Original Message:
Sent: 7/10/2025 11:20:00 AM
From: Rory Litwin
Subject: RE: Recordings of virtual events

Would there be any way of restricting viewing to SRRT or ALA members?

Original Message:
Sent: 7/10/2025 11:17:00 AM
From: April Sheppard
Subject: RE: Recordings of virtual events

Just providing background information:

When SRRT Action Council first began having virtual meetings, they were recorded. Unfortunately, we discovered that people were limiting their participation in the recorded meetings for various reasons, including fear of retribution from employers. There were requests to stop recording meetings so people could speak freely, particularly on some of the more controversial topics that SRRT often covers. 

April

--

April Sheppard
banhatenotbooks@gmail.com

Please know that I honor and respect boundaries around personal time, well-being, caretaking, and time off. My work hours may be different than yours. Should you receive emails from me during a time that you're engaging in any of the above, please protect your time and wait to respond until you're working.

I think in today’s climate it would be a mistake to record meetings in most cases. Whether they are kept for a short time or only made available to certain people there is a record that can be misused in the wrong hands. I would like to see us be as open as we can to those who can’t join at times of meetings but there has to be a balance between access and privacy in my view.

Joseph

Sent from my iPhone


Original Message:
Sent: 7/10/2025 11:17:00 AM
From: April Sheppard
Subject: RE: Recordings of virtual events

Just providing background information:

When SRRT Action Council first began having virtual meetings, they were recorded. Unfortunately, we discovered that people were limiting their participation in the recorded meetings for various reasons, including fear of retribution from employers. There were requests to stop recording meetings so people could speak freely, particularly on some of the more controversial topics that SRRT often covers. 

April

--

April Sheppard
banhatenotbooks@gmail.com

Please know that I honor and respect boundaries around personal time, well-being, caretaking, and time off. My work hours may be different than yours. Should you receive emails from me during a time that you're engaging in any of the above, please protect your time and wait to respond until you're working.

Mark,

It is based on April's earlier contribution to this conversation string, "There were requests to stop recording meetings so people could speak freely, particularly on some of the more controversial topics that SRRT often covers."

It should be an option, out of courtesy. I know after living in more than one Red State for as many years as I have been alive, that this may have given me a different perspective on how to treat people and difficult topics. 

The Programming Committee records most of the sessions for events like the "Afternoon of Social Justice" seminars and then posts them on YouTube. There are times when a presenter does not feel comfortable with a recording of their session due to the sensitivity of their topic. We do not record those sessions, out of courtesy to the presenter.

I agree with Deborah that AC meetings should be recorded, but we should give people the option to stop recording if needed.

Another option is to temporarily archive the recording for a specified period and then delete it.

You are correct, Mark, these are only suggestions to consider. You are welcome to agree or not agree with them.

Sincerely,

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Derek Wilmott MontoyaHe/Him/His
rwilmott@hotmail.com
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Original Message:
Sent: Jul 10, 2025 11:37 AM
From: Mark Rosenzweig
Subject: Recordings of virtual events

I agree entirely with Deborah.

 

I have a problem with Derek's suggestion of muting "sensitive" subjects. Who and on what basis would such sensitive subjects be determined?

 

Mark R.

Derek, I think we,of course, should allow participants to "mute" their remarks for the recorded meetings, by requesting that when needed. However, the idea of decisions being made to mute whole topics and and areas of discussion seems highly problematic. Let's record the meetings and make it available to membership as Deborah C. suggested and for those reasons she outlines and more.

Best,

Mark R.

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Mark Rosenzweig
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Original Message:
Sent: Jul 10, 2025 12:43 PM
From: Derek Wilmott Montoya
Subject: Recordings of virtual events

Mark,

It is based on April's earlier contribution to this conversation string, "There were requests to stop recording meetings so people could speak freely, particularly on some of the more controversial topics that SRRT often covers."

It should be an option, out of courtesy. I know after living in more than one Red State for as many years as I have been alive, that this may have given me a different perspective on how to treat people and difficult topics. 

The Programming Committee records most of the sessions for events like the "Afternoon of Social Justice" seminars and then posts them on YouTube. There are times when a presenter does not feel comfortable with a recording of their session due to the sensitivity of their topic. We do not record those sessions, out of courtesy to the presenter.

I agree with Deborah that AC meetings should be recorded, but we should give people the option to stop recording if needed.

Another option is to temporarily archive the recording for a specified period and then delete it.

You are correct, Mark, these are only suggestions to consider. You are welcome to agree or not agree with them.

Sincerely,

------------------------------
Derek Wilmott MontoyaHe/Him/His
rwilmott@hotmail.com
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: Jul 10, 2025 11:37 AM
From: Mark Rosenzweig
Subject: Recordings of virtual events

I agree entirely with Deborah.

 

I have a problem with Derek's suggestion of muting "sensitive" subjects. Who and on what basis would such sensitive subjects be determined?

 

Mark R.